mute swanshttp://michiganradio.org
enDNR turns down request for moratorium on mute swan killingshttp://michiganradio.org/post/dnr-turns-down-request-moratorium-mute-swan-killings
<p>Mute swans are flourishing in Michigan. The state&rsquo;s Department of Natural Resources estimates their population almost tripled from 5,700 to more than 15,000 between 2000 and 2010.&nbsp; We&#39;ve <a href="http://environmentreport.org/show.php?showID=502">previously reported</a> the DNR says mute swans eat a huge amount of vegetation in lakes. They can push out native birds, such as the trumpeter swan, and officials say mute swans can snap and charge at people.</p><p>To keep the population under control, the DNR is killing the birds and destroying their nests.</p><p>The Humane Society of the United States and the Michigan Save Our Swans Committee argue the DNR&rsquo;s methods are inhumane.</p><p>Mon, 13 Aug 2012 19:07:34 +0000Michigan Radio Newsroom8656 at http://michiganradio.orgDNR turns down request for moratorium on mute swan killingsComments: Should "non-native" Mute swans be managed?http://michiganradio.org/post/comments-should-non-native-mute-swans-be-managed
<p><a href="http://environmentreport.org/show.php?showID=502">The Environment Report's</a> Rebecca Williams produced a piece the other day on the Michigan <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-39002_11862---,00.html">DNRE's proposal</a> to limit the number of Mute swans in the state (the swans with an orange bill).</p><p>The Michigan DNRE has been trying to reduce their population in the state for decades. By reducing Mute swan numbers, state wildlife officials hope to allow more room for native birds, such as Loons and Trumpeter swans (the <a href="http://www.fws.gov/trustompond/images/Management/MuteSwanFactSheet_RIDEM.pdf">USFWS</a> says Mute swans were brought to the U.S. more than 100 years ago as "decorative waterfowl" for parks, zoos, and estates).</p><p>On February 10th, the <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-39002_11862---,00.html">Natural Resources Commission</a> is expected to vote on a <span><a href="http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-39002_11862---,00.html">DNRE proposal</a> that would make it illegal for wildlife rehabilitators to nurse Mute swans back to health. </span></p><p><span>The proposal, like any proposal to limit Mute swan numbers, has sparked a lot of debate.</span></p><p><span>We received several comments on the <a href="http://environmentreport.org/show.php?showID=502">Environment Report</a> web page about the proposal and about managing Mute swans in general.</span>Thu, 03 Feb 2011 18:44:08 +0000Mark Brush1153 at http://michiganradio.orgComments: Should "non-native" Mute swans be managed?No rehab for mute swans?http://michiganradio.org/post/no-rehab-mute-swans
<p>You've definitely seen mute swans: they're big, white birds with orange bills.&nbsp; A lot of people love them.</p><p>But Michigan wildlife officials say there are <a href="http://environmentreport.org/show.php?showID=502">too many mute swans in the state</a>.&nbsp;</p><p>So... the <a href="http://www.michigan.gov/dnr"><span>Department of Natural Resources and Environment</span></a> is now proposing a change... one that’s making some people very angry.</p><p>Barbara Avers is a waterfowl specialist with the DNRE. She says mute swans are not native to the U.S. – they were brought over from Europe in the 1800's. Basically, because they’re pretty.</p><blockquote><p>“They’ve grown exponentially in Michigan. They’re kind of many times the bullies of the marsh.”</p></blockquote><p>Avers says mute swans eat a huge amount of vegetation in lakes. They can push out native birds, such as the trumpeter swan. And she says mute swans can snap and charge at people.</p><blockquote><p>“Routinely each year we get reports of mute swan attacks on land, and kayakers, people on jet skis, people out fishing in a boat, and what we see is as mute swan population grows so do the number of conflicts we see.”</p></blockquote><p>Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:56:33 +0000Rebecca Williams1112 at http://michiganradio.orgNo rehab for mute swans?